A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish reasonable and necessary standards for development in the City. These standards are established to ensure that Pleasant Hill develops in a manner that promotes efficient and orderly community growth.
B. 
Applicability. The standards of this Chapter apply to all development projects in all zoning districts unless otherwise specified.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
The regulations applicable to each zoning district shall be applied to the area within that zoning district. No use other than parking serving a principal use on the site shall be located in a zoning district in which it is not a permitted or conditionally permitted use. Pedestrian or vehicle access from a right-of-way to a particular use on a property, must not pass through any area of the property that is zoned in a way that does not permit that use, either by right or with conditions.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
The following building features may exceed the maximum allowed height in a zoning district by eight feet with no discretionary review, if they do not cover more than 20% of the top floor roof area of the structure to which they are accessory:
1. 
Tower,
2. 
Spire,
3. 
Cupola,
4. 
Chimney,
5. 
Elevator,
6. 
Water tank,
7. 
Monument,
8. 
Theater scenery loft, and
9. 
Similar structures and necessary mechanical apparatuses.
B. 
Measuring Building Height. The height of buildings is measured as provided in the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) as adopted by the City.
1. 
Base Points. The height of a building is the vertical distance above the base point that yields the greater height of the building as described below and shown in Figure 18.55-1 (Measuring Height):
a. 
Base Point 1. The elevation of the highest adjoining sidewalk or existing grade within a five-foot horizontal distance of the exterior wall of the building when such sidewalk or existing grade is not more than five feet above lowest grade.
b. 
Base Point 2. The elevation that is five feet higher than the lowest grade when the sidewalk or existing grade described in Subsection B.1.a of this Section is more than five feet above lowest grade.
Figure 18.55-1 Measuring Height
2. 
Roof Types. See Figure 18.55-2 (Roof Types – Height Measurement).
a. 
Flat Roofs. Height is measured to the top of the parapet. If there is no parapet, height is measured to the highest point of the roof.
b. 
Mansard Roofs. Height is measured to the deck line.
c. 
Pitched and Hipped Roofs. Height is measured to the average height of the highest gable that has a roof pitch of 12/12 or less. For roofs with a pitch steeper than 12/12, height is measured to the highest point.
d. 
Other Roof Types. For other roof types (such as domed, vaulted, or pyramidal), height is measured to the highest point.
e. 
Stepped or Terraced Structures. The height is the maximum height of any segment of the building.
Figure 18.55-2 Roof Types – Height Measurement
C. 
The height of other structures, such as fences, shall be the vertical distance from the ground level immediately under the structure to the top of the structure, provided the ground level, when extended five feet from the structure, is equal to or higher than the elevation under the structure. Special height measurement provisions are as follows.
1. 
Walls or Fences on Slopes. The height of walls or fences located on sloping ground shall be measured from the ground level on the higher side of the wall or fence for the purpose of determining compliance with maximum allowable height requirements.
2. 
Retaining Walls and Fences. The height of retaining walls, and fences on top of retaining walls, shall be measured as a combined height of a retaining wall, fence, or screen from the ground level on the higher side of the combined wall, fence, or screen for the purpose of determining compliance with maximum allowable height requirements.
3. 
Decks. Deck height shall be measured from the lowest existing grade where the deck meets the ground to the top of the floor of the deck.
4. 
Accessory Structures. The height of accessory structures, such as sheds, detached garages, pergolas and trellises is the vertical distance from the ground level immediately under the structure to the highest point at the top of a structure.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
This Section explains how various measurements referenced in this Zoning Ordinance are to be calculated.
A. 
Fractions. When calculations for requirements that must be expressed as a whole number (i.e., housing units, trees) result in fractions, the results shall be rounded as follows:
1. 
Minimum Requirements. When a regulation is expressed in terms of a minimum requirement, any fractional result shall be rounded up to the next whole number. For example, if a minimum requirement of one tree for every 30 feet is applied to a 50-foot strip, the resulting fraction of 1.37 is rounded up to two required trees.
2. 
Maximum Limits. When a regulation is expressed in terms of maximum limits, no rounding is to be done. The maximum limit cannot be exceeded by any whole or fractional number. For example, if a maximum limit of lot coverage is 30%, the maximum limit is 30%, no rounding down to 30% for fractions.
B. 
Measuring Distances.
1. 
When determining distances for setbacks and structure dimensions, all distances shall be measured along a horizontal plane from the appropriate line, edge of building, structure, storage area, parking area, or other object. Distances shall not be measured by following the topography of the land. See Figure 18.55-3 (Horizontal Plane Measurement).
Figure 18.55-3
Horizontal Plane Measurement
Note: This figure is for representative purposes only. The point at which distance is measured from the building may vary based on the design of the structure.
2. 
Measurements Involving a Building. Measurements involving a building are made to the closest wall of the structure. Other features, such as covered porches and entrances, are included in the measurement except as specified in Section 18.55.030C.4 (Accessory Structures) and Section 18.55.080 (Structure Projections and Encroachments into Setbacks). See Figure 18.55-4 (Determination of Closest Distance).
3. 
Measurements Involving an Accessory Structure. Measurements involving an accessory structure are made to and from the furthest projection. See Figure 18.55-4 (Determination of Closest Distance).
Figure 18.55-4
Determination of Closest Distance
4. 
Vehicle Stacking or Travel Areas. Measurement of a minimum travel distance for vehicles, such as garage entrance setbacks and stacking lane distances, shall be measured down the center of the vehicle travel area. For example, curving driveways and travel lanes are measured along the arc of the driveway or traffic lane. See Figure 18.55-5 (Measuring Vehicle Stacking Areas).
Figure 18.55-5
Measuring Vehicle Stacking Areas
5. 
Underground Structures. Structures that are entirely underground are not included in measuring required distances. See Figure 18.55-6 (Underground Structures).
Figure 18.55-6
Underground Structures
C. 
Measuring Distances on Maps. Zoning district boundaries that are shown crossing lots are usually based on a topographic feature or a set measurement from a property line or topographic feature, such as the top of slope or the middle of stream. When zoning district boundaries are shown crossing properties with no clear indication of the basis for the line, exact distances are to be determined by scaling the distances from the zoning map, using the center of the zone line on the map.
D. 
Measuring a Radius. The measured specified distance from a particular project shall be the required distance in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects, from all points along the lot line of the proposed project
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A refuse storage area shall be screened on all sides by a six-foot high solid wood or masonry wall and include a solid roof, or located within a building, before occupancy for all uses other than a single-family residence or duplex. Locations, horizontal dimensions, and general design parameters of refuse storage areas shall be as prescribed by the Architectural Review Commission.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
An Architectural Review Permit and Minor Use Permit is required for relocation of any building except a single-family dwelling. The design of all relocated buildings shall be approved by the Architectural Review Commission to ensure compatibility with its surroundings in terms of architectural character, height and mass, and exterior appearance. See also Chapter 14.45 (House Moving) .
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Purpose and Applicability. Development proposed adjacent to any public or private street, driveway, right-of-way easement, or alley intersection, shall be designed to provide a traffic safety visibility area for pedestrian and traffic safety, free from vegetation, structures, signs, or other obstructions.
B. 
Measurement of the Traffic Safety Visibility Area. The traffic safety visibility area shall be measured as follows:
1. 
Intersections. On standard corner lots abutting a local street or alley, where the corner forms a 90-degree angle, the traffic safety visibility area shall be formed by a 90-degree triangle with two sides measuring 35 feet along both the front and side street curb lines, said length beginning at their intersection, and a third side connecting the two ends running diagonally across the property. See Figure 18.55-7 (Traffic Safety Visibility Area).
2. 
Alleys, Driveways, and Right-of-Way Easements. On lots containing or abutting a lot containing an alley, driveway, or right-of-way easement, the traffic safety visibility area shall be formed by a 90-degree triangle with two sides measuring 15 feet (20 feet for non-single-family uses) along each side of the driveway and the street curb line abutting the roadway, said length beginning at their intersection, and a third side connecting the two ends running diagonally across the property. See Figure 18.55-7 (Traffic Safety Visibility Area).
3. 
Irregular Corner Lots. For corner lots which are not flat, are irregularly shaped, or are adjacent to a collector street, arterial, or expressway, the City Engineer may impose a different standard in order to provide adequate visibility, comparable to that on a standard lot where the corner forms a 90-degree angle.
C. 
Height Limit. No structure, sign, landscape element, or other obstruction shall exceed 30 inches in height above roadway curb level, or 36 inches above grade, within the traffic safety visibility area, unless approved by the City Engineer, except for trees with their canopy to a minimum of seven feet above grade.
Figure 18.55-7
Traffic Safety Visibility Area
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A projection into a required setback is allowed as follows:
A. 
Fireplace or chimney: 18 inches into a front, rear, or side setback;
B. 
Cornice (no vertical ground support or foundation), eave (no vertical ground support or foundation), mechanical equipment, and ornamental feature: Two feet into a front, rear, or side setback.
C. 
Balcony, stairs, canopy, covered entryways and/or porches, or awning (none of which shall have vertical ground support or foundation, with the exception of stairs): Five feet into a front or rear setback, and two feet into a side setback.
D. 
Bay windows are allowed a projection of 30 inches into a front, rear, or side setback if all the following apply:
1. 
The bay window(s) is installed on either a wall with a foundation or cantilevered and does not extend to the top of the wall;
2. 
Does not exceed eight feet in width; and
3. 
A minimum five-foot side setback is maintained.
E. 
Decks (attached or detached):
1. 
Decks shall not encroach into the minimum front or side setbacks requirements applicable to the primary structure.
2. 
Decks may only encroach into the rear setback if the minimum rear setbacks established in Table 18.55-A (Minimum Rear Setbacks for Deck Encroachments) are maintained:
Table 18.55-A: Minimum Rear Setbacks for Deck Encroachments
Deck height, measured from finished grade
Minimum rear setback to be maintained
Below 6 inches
None
6 to 18 inches
5 feet
18.1 to 36 inches
10 feet
Over 36 inches
Minimum required rear setback for structures in the applicable zoning district
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
All electrical, telephone, cable television, and similar utility distribution lines providing direct service to, or running adjacent to, a development site shall be installed underground within the site and within any public right-of-way or public easement directly adjacent to the site subject to review and approval by the applicable review authority (Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, Architectural Review Commission, or City Council) of the development project.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)